The Legend- Revealed

by Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait

  A weak and trembling voice croaked out, “Please … oh please let me go….”

  Tears fell from all, fighting the urge. “No. We cannot let you. For if you went, we all would follow and it cannot be.”

  Unknown to Kaida or Zlemtec, wailings of grief assaulted the outside of the gateway they had taken. They could not hear, for they were already separated by Worlds.

  Chapter 41

  Kaida and Zlemtec cautiously stepped out of the portal and into a new world. Senses heightened and eyes wide, their legs could not move. Spread out before them was a foreign world with large flat islands jutting up from the enormous gorges below. Water cascaded down the rims of several plateaus, creating unfathomable waterfalls, jolting the ears with booming rumbles.

  All the landforms were connected by shimmering arched bridges of a pale blue polished stone. Kaida looked behind her at the portal and noticed it was similar to the one they had taken from Urthe, being a towering tree with gnarled bark and huge sweeping branches. The landscape seemed to favor these giants. They grew in clusters across all the plateaus within their sight.

  Besides the rosy tone of the sky, their interest was captured by the spires rising up out the landscape, conical in shape, and filled with openings emitting a diffused golden light.

  Kaida whispered, “Let’s explore where we are before leaving this area. We need to form landmarks so we won’t lose our portal to home.”

  “If we flew, wouldn’t we have a better grasp of where we are?”

  “I like your idea Zlemtec, but still, I would feel safer by keeping to the ground to explore this area first, and we may not have much time.”

  “That is fine with me but climb up, we’ll cover the ground faster with you on my back.”

  Climbing up, Kaida adjusted her staff and weapons, to be ready. They moved with hesitant steps towards the cluster of trees ahead of them, which could help hide them if there Invisibility Magic faltered.

  At the edge of the tree line, they peered inside. Water bubbled up out of the ground, creating small pools of water. Edging the waterline was a thick carpet of a sponge-like mat of a fuchsia moss which sprouted flowers of drooping green petals: their perfume reminiscent of slightly spicy bee nectar.

  Zlemtec leaned closer to the water. Within it crawled rock-like creatures with a cluster of vibrant blue legs surrounding their rounded shapes. Kaida took a sip from her water bag, not wanting to risk harm from the water or the creatures in it.

  Easing their way forward, their sounds cushioned by the moss underneath, they saw another spire through the trees. And peoples: the yellow-haired peoples much like the ones she spoke with on Urthe.

  A low rumble rose to Zlemtec’s throat. They kept still and observed them. A group of men lifted rocks and pulled out long squirming creatures that were a deeper color than the moss they stood upon. Slipping them into large tightly woven baskets, they secured the lids, smiling at one another. They were still too far away to pick up their talk but Kaida saw one man lick his lips. Food, she thought.

  Zlemtec started easing backwards.

  “What are you doing?” Kaida bent over and whispered close to his head.

  “Getting some wing room. We have seen what lies in this direction. The only way forward is to come close to the peoples, we don’t need that right now. I say we turn back, take flight and get a perspective from up above, plus, if we are attacked, we can move far easier in the air.”

  “All right, but help memorize this place from above before we venture out too far.”

  “Of course, Dragons have a highly developed skill of cataloging our surroundings to the tiniest of details but it is much easier from above.”

  He was right, she thought, as they left the ground below them, the picture of the world was so much better to see. The plateau they soared above held various spires, all generally the same size. She counted six spires in all. On the far side, past the spires, the land smoothed and people were collecting items from the growing plants. One large section had low-growing vining plants with large spiked leaves. Out of the spikes, fist-sized plum protuberances were being snapped off and cast into their bags.

  After circling this landmass, Zlemtec soared higher. He pointed down to draw Kaida’s attention to the details. From the ground the plateaus seemed random and disjointed but from the air it was easy to see the chunks of land were not only joined by the arched bridges, but they formed a spiral with the center being the largest landmass with an enormous spire of gleaming stone. Around this triangular shaped building, were broad fields being grazed by woolly beasts with three horns extruding from their chins. They scooped up the plants, tossed them up and caught them in an opening at the top of their heads. Kaida shuddered and wondered what kind of animal it was.

  Tall thick walls surrounded the fields on all sides, making an enclosure around the building. Atop the walls: a narrow walkway that led to towers set into each corner. A shiver shot up her spine, This must be my mother’s birth home. Zlemtec responded to the sudden change he felt from Kaida and rose higher, sweeping a slow wide circle over it.

  Unexpected movement came from the towers as loud sirens pierced the air. Fearing they had been spotted, Zlemtec darted away. He dove down towards the gorge as he arched his head upward to see if danger followed. The noise of the rushing of wings alerted all his senses and his body reacted, swiftly turning and climbing the air. Hundreds of Golden Dragons streamed from the fifth plateau in the spiral and headed towards the center, towards Kaida’s home.

  “Find the Dragons portal while they are still coming out!” Kaida dug her knees into Zlemtec’s scales and held on. He dipped off to the right and flew behind the ground where the Golden Dragons emerged, watching them trail out of an arched portal towards the edge of a cliff. Zlemtec landed nearby and watched from the trees until the Dragons stopped coming out.

  “Take the portal while there is time! We need to find my father’s family. We may be able to find out what is going on without ending up in the middle of this battle. There is no time to go to my mother’s people now, we would not be heard. Be ready, Zlemtec, we may be flying into our worst night terrors but we must try.”

  Chapter 42

  Outside the portal, four Urthe Dragons stood in vigil, denying both sleep and flight. Their energies had been consumed after Kaida and Zlemtec left. Grief had closed them in a steel trap, immobilizing them.

  The Queen had been in a madness of panic, watching them disappear. Having failed her attempt to follow them, she had refused to leave the portal tree. Her bellows of grief shook the ground and sent nearby avians into flight.

  She paced savagely. Torn between the knowledge of a warrior, the prophecy of the Dragon Child and the gut wrenching despair of a mother who could not protect her children; her torment raged through mind and soul. Thoughts bombarded her without ceasing. What are they walking into? Will Kaida’s family accept her? How will they treat Zlemtec? On and on, the questions assaulted her mind. When her Bonded tried to coax her away, she refused.

  “I cannot leave. What if they are met with immediate battle? They may return to us. I want to wait here, to be here if I’m needed….”

  “I understand your heart and your words, my Bonded,” began the King, “all of us do.”

  The Queen lifted her eyes to meet his, then for the first time, she turned her head to watch the peoples trying to console one another. She had forgotten what a large impact Kaida made in all of their lives, not just her own. She walked towards the peoples and extended her wings, enfolding them; grief shared would not diminish it, but there were more shoulders to carry its weight.

  After sharing each other’s grief, the decision was made to delay their return home, so as dusk turned to a blanket of stars strung overhead, they kept vigil. Each, in the way familiar to them, sent thoughts of a successful journey to Kaida and Zlemtec, searching the stars, wondering which one they traveled.

  The first hints of day’s light crested towards the east, and still no return of
Kaida and Zlemtec. All who had gathered around the portal began to move about and stretch, an effort to shake the numbness that had crept over them during the night’s passing.

  Rynik spoke with his Bonded and she gave a slow nod of agreement. He then turned and spoke to the rest. “We have stood our watch over our warriors. We can do no more by waiting here so we will make ready to fly home. If you have hunger, eat. We will leave soon.”

  The peoples began putting their packs, bags and parcels onto the Dragons; it seemed none were interested in food this new day. Before the light covering of dew had left the grasses, they were loaded, mounted and ready for flight. Zelspar, with his riders of Perthorn and Kiel, took point with Galdean, King and Queen of the Mursei, close behind.

  It was a silent and solemn flight with the sunlight chasing their tails. The landscape began to change under their wings as the miles passed under them. Hills gave way to outcroppings of mountains. Seeing the familiar mountain landmarks, their journey was almost complete. Weary and drained, they flew on knowing home was within reach.

  A crackling noise cut through the air, moments after a bolt of Lightning had hit its mark. Zelspar went into a tumbling roll, his riders held on with death-grips. In the sudden confusion, the Dragons behind were dazed and then spotted Zelspar whirling fast towards the ground. They dove, wings tight against their bodies and passed Zelspar by. They then surrounded him, reaching out to grab onto him, to break his fall. His right wing had taken the hit.

  The Queen, the only Dragon free of riders, flew under him. Her body bounced as Zelspar tried to make contact mid air. Galdean was able to grab hold of his left arm and stopped his spinning. He made another attempt and collided onto Starleira’s back, the impact jolting her. She gritted her teeth and groaned under the weight. She braced for impact and hit the ground with a hard thud.

  Zelspar slid off her side and laid, belly down. His face was swathed in beads of sweat. He was mumbling a spell and a broken shield of protection began to form. Perthorn jumped off and immediately swirled his hands above them, adding another layer of protection.

  Kiel slid down and asked still in a daze, “Was that Flegmorr?”

  Perthorn, in his fury, could not answer. His face had turned a blistering scarlet, inflamed by the attack. The attack that hit his friend.

  Zelspar continued his low tones, calling forth the remnants of his exhausted energy to add a spell block over them and then with a shudder, closed his eyes.

  Starleira didn’t know she had more room for grief but it rolled over her in an avalanche. Her sobs came in mighty roars even the highest heavens could hear as her tears rained down across Zelspar’s head. A worse blow could not have been hurled against them. Still quaking from their grief of Kaida and Zlemtec’s departure, their energies drained, they had flown without the Invisibility Magic and directly over a trap.

  They had come to rest miles from the attack. The King of Mursei, Galdean, and Perthorn scanned their area, looking for the foulest creature ever created and they were looking for revenge.

  Off in the distance, the form of Flegmorr emerged from a cave, with a smirk of satisfaction smeared his face. Glik landed on his shoulder, clicking rapidly. Flegmorr’s smile broadened. “Yes, my friend, it has been worth the journey, to see Perthorn fall from the sky. My Magic may even have hit that meddlesome Dragon, too. A better outcome than imagined. What?” His laughter rose up from his poisoned well, “Of course I’m sure. Didn’t you see them fall from the sky? They were higher than these mountains. Nothing could withstand that impact.” His spirit soared as he leaned back and laughed again, his dark laughter catching the wind.

  The Dragons assembled around their friend, the old White Dragon. Memories flooded their minds of all he had done for them.

  Galdean spoke, “If it wasn’t for him, I would not be with you all today. He brought my Spirit back to me. Oh I know, it was all in a plan designed by the Great Deceiver, Dargenoin, but it was Zelspar who brought me from the land of the Ancestors and it was he who found the Magic that removed the poison Dargenoin created to kill us all. It would be my greatest honor to go find this Flegmorr and annihilate him from the face of Urthe!”

  “Not without me, you won’t,” growled the King, “the lowest slime from the great waters is far better than the walking slime known as Flegmorr, for him to have attacked the greatest White Dragon … the only Dragon capable of capturing Dargenoin and removing his destructive forces against us, all I can say is he does not know the wrath he has unleashed.” Smoke freely spewed from his snout as he began pacing to and fro. “I say we go now!”

  Sudden movement came from behind them and all turned, prepared for a fight. Tyrianua was the first to cross through their protective bubble, followed by Sigrunn.

  “We saw the Lightning flash from behind us but we were too late,” commiserated Tyrianua. “Flegmorr had been following the ruse for several days and had entered a mountain of tunnels we had marked. We were just leaving through the other side when he evoked his Dark Magic. We came as soon as we could.”

  Sigrunn looked at Perthorn, then down at the ground where Zelspar lay motionless. “Ah, Flegmorr missed his mark.”

  Stares of disbelief met her response, Starleira’s eyes bloodshot from tears, abruptly shot up as she sprang from the ground and went toe to toe with Sigrunn, “Is that all you have to say? You both had kept us from incinerating that useless bag of bones, now look what he has done! We have strived at all times to not bring harm to any of the peoples, but he will answer for this attack!” Starleira’s muzzle dropped close enough for Sigrunn to smell the sulfur rising from it in large plumes of smoke.

  Before the heated exchange could continue, thunderous booms broke through the sky causing a great wind to swirl, tearing up the ground in front of them. The Great Ancestor of all Dragons began to take shape, his face composed of dirt and swirling debris. Behind the Great One, more forms of the Ancestors formed. The cacophony of sound drove Dragons and peoples alike, to their knees. Their roars were deafening: the sound of Universes colliding.

  The unison of voices tore out from the swirling visions of the Ancestors. “We demand retribution! The Undefeatable deserves justice, he has not yet accomplished what his future holds.”

  A great pause happened in places where neither peoples nor the common Dragons roamed. The Weavers of the Strings held their hands immobile, waiting. The Historian, Wyrtregon, stared down at the great Book of History, opened to Zelspar’s entries, his massive leathered palm covering his face. In the great waters of Urthe, Pravietis, the Future Walker, erupted from the waters, causing great waves to set into motion ripples that would punish the Urthe, and he continued to crash in anger against the waters. Zelspar had been a friend to all, a White Light to every soul and they all mourned his unwarranted attack.

  The Great Ancestor of all Dragons spoke, “Cease talking. Zelspar yet lives, breath is still within him. His Time has not yet arrived. My plans for him are great, the greatest of all Dragons that have ever flown the skies or turned in the waters. He is the greatest Healer on Urthe yet in his time of need, who answers?” The sky-renting voice declared, “I do! Stand away from Zelspar, all, lest you be consumed in my touch.”

  Peoples and Dragons scurried off in all directions, leaving Zelspar exposed. The swirling form of the Great Ancestor moved across the air and hovered above Zelspar, whose shallow breathing could not even move the sand beneath his snout.

  Thunder boomed and Lightning flashed within the swirling form. “Zelspar, your weakened spirit called and I have come. I have come to answer the injustice worked against you, I will bring Healing to you. Your path is incomplete. It is the hardest path of all but it is the path of greatest reward. Never will a Dragon arise that will meet your spirit, for it is the most noble of Dragons of the past or future, a spirit that has been granted to always live on. Dragons all pass away, spirits return to the Ancestors, but for you, Zelspar … your spirit will always continue until the very End of Days. You will inhabit many
lives and impact the world in ways currently unknown to you. Your path has been forged and will not be altered!”

  A great finger of Lightning reached out from the swirling mass and struck Zelspar on his right wingtip. A blue Fire traveled its length and moved across to his shoulders and then wrapped around his body. The ground hissed underneath him and smoke burnt the nostrils of even the furthest Dragon.

  He stirred. Slowly, his shoulders rose as he hoisted himself up onto his shaking arms until he could sit upright. His head shook, trying to clear itself. A hoarse whisper crawled out of his throat, “By … all … that … is….” and then stopped, seeing the sky was filled with his Ancestors and the Great Ancestor of all Dragons. He gawked speechless at such an astonishing gathering. “Great One….” Zelspar croaked out as the swirling mass of the Great One retreated.

  In that moment, the sun glowed brighter and if you were very still, you could feel the Urthe catch its breath, it was as if the Balance had returned to its designed calculation and all within its confines, rejoiced.

  “Zelspar,” the Great One of all Dragons whispered, causing a tingle to crawl across skin and scales alike, and an invisible smile permeated the air. “Your health and strength has been restored, for it was unjustly taken.” Zelspar’s eyes narrowed with the memory and smoke emitted from his snout. “I caution you against retribution at this time.” His swirl extended, drawing all eyes and ears to his voice. “Seek instead the strength of Mind and Magic. This battle against the one carrying Dark Magic has not arrived. All must prepare for that day, for not one alone can withstand his Magic.”

  Having returned to all the fullness that was Zelspar, he spat out, “Not one perhaps, but we are not one. We are many and can bring many more. He meant to kill Perthorn and I will not allow….”

  A roar resembling a good natured laughter rippled the air. “There stands the Zelspar the worlds have known.” After a softened pause, the Great One continued, “No, Zelspar. It is I who won’t allow. It is I who holds your future and it will be I who will allow your retribution when the Time comes. Any who attempts to change my directive will die in the attempt.” His voice had steadily increased its volume until the last words had boomed and echoed into the ears and hearts of all before him. “Return home and do as I have spoken. The dark Magician is blinded from seeking you further. He believes he accomplished his goal and his mind carries only the thought of being the victor.”